Wired to believe

The current conversation concerning science and religion is urgent, but it is neither obvious nor easy. On the surface, that conversation is vexed by shrill advocates on both sides who contribute nothing to the conversation and are not really interested in serious engagement. For example, the “intelligent design” perspective is answered by the scientism of Richard Dawkins, who is, like his know-nothing adversaries, interested only in prevailing.

Even among more responsible and disciplined thinkers the approach to this topic is difficult. Thomas Torrance, on the one hand, has labored mightily as a theologian on the topic but has rarely come close to the real work of science. John Polkinghorne, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in science, but his theological reflections can be rather light. The conversation goes round and round, seemingly to little effect.